The details of entry and stay in Iceland for British citizens and their family members are still being worked on, therefore this page will be updated regularly.
In December 2018, Iceland and the other EEA/EFTA States announced they had reached an agreement with the UK on protecting citizens’ rights and resolving separation issues arising from the UK’s exit from the EU. The Separation Agreement largely mirrors the Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK.
Under Part Two of the Separation Agreement, British citizens and their family members will, subject to certain conditions, be able to continue to live and work in Iceland after the end of the transition period, if they were legally residing in Iceland, in accordance with the EU’s Free Movement Directive, before the end of the transition period.
The end of the transition period is 31 December 2020.
British citizens in Iceland will retain the right to family reunification that they have under current EEA legislation, provided that the family relationship is established before the end of the transition period, by 31 December 2020. This also applies to children born or adopted after the end of the transition period.
British citizens and their family members who want to live or work in Iceland after the end of the transition period will be subject to the same rules as non-EEA/EU citizens, as set out in the Icelandic Act on Foreigners.
BRITISH CITIZENS LIVING IN ICELAND
BRITISH CITIZENS WHO WANT TO MOVE OR TRAVEL TO ICELAND
BRITISH CITIZENS LIVING IN ICELAND
Entry to Iceland
Until Icelandic authorities start issuing a residence permit card for British citizens with the right to reside in Iceland prior to 1 January 2021, you can document your right of residence in Iceland with a Residence certificate (C-122) issued by Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá).
If you have an electronic ID, you can apply for the Residence certificate electronically through island.is. When processed the electronic certificate will be available in the island.is postbox of the person named in the certificate, except when parents or legal guardians order certificates for children, they will be available in the postbox of the person who ordered the certificate.
The processing time for certificates is generally up to two days. Therefore, it is important not to wait too long before ordering a Residence certificate.
If you cannot order the certificate electronically, you need to contact Registers Iceland and make an appointment to pick up the certificate.
No. British citizens will not require a visa for a short stay visit to Iceland or other countries in the Schengen area after the end of the transition period. They will be allowed to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days during any period of 180 days.
Residence in Iceland
If you have registered your right of residence at Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá Íslands) before the end of the transition period (31 December 2020), you will not need to meet any new requirements in order to retain your right of residence.
Iceland will be issuing a residence permit card for British citizens who live in Iceland or move to Iceland before the end of the transition period that you can apply for. The application procedure for the residence permit card is being prepared and due to be introduced in January 2021.
If you have not yet registered your right of residence in Iceland with Registers Iceland, you will have to provide proof that you moved to Iceland before the end of the transition period and that you qualify for residence under the EU Free Movement Directive.
If you are a British citizen residing in Iceland and have registered your right of residence in Iceland with Registers Iceland before the end of the transition period, your spouse will still be able to apply for family reunification under the current rules for EU/EEA citizens, if you were married before the transition period ends (31 December 2020).
This is included in the Separation Agreement signed by the UK and the EEA/EFTA states.
A residence permit card confirms that you already have this right; that your stay in Iceland is legal and that you are allowed to work here. It can therefore be a good idea to have a residence permit card to demonstrate your right to reside and work in Iceland.
Icelandic citizenship
The processing of applications for Icelandic citizenship for British citizens will not be affected by Brexit. The Directorate of Immigration processes applications for Icelandic citizenship in the order in which they are received. There will be no special priority scheme for applications from British citizens.
You can check the processing time for applications for Icelandic citizenship here.
Find out more about the rules for Icelandic citizenship here.
British citizens who want to Move or travel to Iceland
Entry to Iceland
Please note that as long as Iceland has travel restrictions due to Covid-19 British citizens will be subject to the same entry requirements as other third country nationals.
Residence in Iceland
We recommend that you register as soon as possible after your arrival in Iceland.
Please familiarize yourself with the basic requirements for a residence permit in Iceland as well as the specific requirements for the different types of residence permits.